Chapter 3
Tony hadn't expected the doctor's visit to go so well. The last time he had gone, his world had turned upside down. The news wasn't any less shocking this time, but it still hurt. Thankfully, Natasha was patient enough to wait in the car while he went in. He didn't think he would be able to handle it if she saw him cry. He had been doing so well too. Then the poor doctor handed him a stuffed animal on his way out and his heart just shattered.
It was a little white bunny. Almost the same size as his pup. The weight of it in his arms bringing him back to the days prior. It was a painful memory now. In all honesty, he wanted to just chuck the poor things out the nearest window. This was nothing like his baby, no heartbeat, no scent. And it was far too fluffy for his taste, seriously what was he a child? It'd be far too embarrassing to carry around, yet the moment he felt its weight in his arms he couldn't help but cry.
His pup had felt like that too, all heavy in his arms. He could even cradle its little head. The poor bunny had a weak neck too. It really wasn't what he wanted. But he supposed it was better than nothing. At least he wouldn't have to give this one away. It'd be his baby forever.
"What's with the stuffed animal?" Natasha asked later in the car. He had sat it on his lap, seemingly not as embarrassed as he thought. This was his, he wanted everyone to see it.
"It's my baby," That was an interesting take on things after all. He couldn't expect her to be as understanding as to the doctor or the people who watched him cry in the office. He valued what she thought of him, she was the means to a better life. Still, the omega couldn't hide that he was attached to it. "The doctors gave it to me, said it would help."
To his surprise she didn't even laugh. No, she just smiled down at him. Her green eyes shining brightly and asked, "Well then, what its name?"
"Oh," For once, he couldn't for the life of him find an answer. He always knew he'd have to give his pup up, so he never named him. Why would the stuffed animal be any different? "It doesn't have one."
"That's okay," she said simply. "We'll just call him Tony's baby."
If he wasn't already so emotional he would've blamed the tears on the a/c blasting in his face. But they both knew better. It was the little things that mattered now. So as he spent the next few weeks healing and helping around the home, he began to cry less and smile more. Every now and then he'd even make a little snarky comment. Slowly, Tony was starting to become himself again, but this time he'd be a better version.
About a month into his stay at the omega home, he started looking for a job. A real one, with a proper schedule and decent pay. Maybe he'd even get lucky and find one that wouldn't mind his second gender. Though it was only wishful thinking. Not even scent blockers would help his case. You could tell just by looking at him, he was all soft and doe-eyed. Not to mention small, in a boyish way he could only hope to grow out of. And he scented so sweetly of mother's milk.
Only an omega could have a scent like that, it was just like that new-pup smell. All fresh and warm. Most places wouldn't hire him because of that, they thought he had a baby waiting at home. No matter how hard he tried to explain his situation, no one wanted to take the risk. For weeks afterward, he applied and went to interviews and got nothing. He hated the rejection. it almost made him want to stop applying to jobs that wouldn't hire him in the first place, or going to interviews looking the way he did, or just trying in general. He had nothing to try for anyway.
On a particularly bad day, Natasha caught him on his way to his room. He was ready to collapse into his nest and disappear for a few days. But she had other plans. "Kid," she said honestly. "You look like shit."
Tony frowned, a bit startled she'd even say that to him. "That's- "
"Cruel?" She continued, smiling sheepishly not the least bit sorry for her words. "It's true though. Looks like you could use some rest."
"That's what I was about to do." He stated, obviously standing near his bedroom door. "Got my nest ready and everything, it's still set up from yesterday. Kind of figured I'd need it, you know?"
"Yeah Tony, I know. That's why I think you should take a break, just for a few days."
"W-What? No, no I can't do that." He said in a panic as if someone had accused him of high treason.
The redhead just smiled at him in response. She knew that whether he liked it or not, he'd listen. "You will."
With great patience the poor omega did listen. For days he rested, the dark blue walls of his room taunting him constantly. The anxious feeling of not being enough clawing at his heart. He had only wanted to find a job, yet there he was in his nest struggling through a burnout. Natasha had been right, not that he'd wanted to listen but he needed this. He had overcome a great deal in such a short amount of time and not once did he truly rest. The poor thing had been scenting strange to others, and he hadn't even realized it. Not that he cared, it was far too late to be embarrassed now.
It was far too late for a lot of things, Tony thought grimly. Oh if only his father could see him now. He'd say, 'See, Tony. This is what happens to omegas that can't keep their legs closed.' But he had never opened them willingly in the first place. Quiet moments like this always brought him back to that night. How he wished he could go back and make things right. But there was no use dwelling on the past, he couldn't do anything about it now. Funnily enough, he still held on to his stuffy, the unnamed one that was far too similar to his pup. It made him want to go back and change that too.
His days spent resting slowly turned into a deep depression. Not uncommon for young omegas like him. They were just full of hormones and confusing feelings. Tony a bit more than others. In that time his mind drifted away from job hunting and towards all that could have been. Multiple realities beyond the one he was forced to suffer in. Places where his father could have accepted him. Where he would have had a chance at being a good mother. The poor boy whimpered at the thought. He knew he didn't deserve either.
In his isolation he found comfort in the dark. His nest just about burying him alive and shielding him from the outside world. The thick blankets muffling the noise of city traffic and Natasha's calls for help. She tried endlessly to get him out. This wasn't what she had in mind when she told him to rest.
"Tony, there's cheeseburgers in the kitchen. Want one?" She'd ask in an attempt to talk to him. He turns her down, choosing to forgo the extra food or company.
"I found a puzzle you might like in the living room. Maybe we could do that after dinner?" She'd suggest.
"We're having a movie night, it's The Wizard of Oz. C'mon kid, it's a classic." She pleaded.
Day after day Natasha tried until she finally had enough. And thankfully she had a little good news on her side. It wasn't much but maybe it was just what he needed. "Get up, Tony. I found you a job."